Mercedes-Benz updated one of its most legendary vehicles — and it looks impressive

Mercedes-Benz's G-Wagon is the oldest model series the brand still produces.
Daimler

Mercedes-Benz revealed its 2018 G-Series SUV on Monday.

While the exterior hasn't changed much, some of the interior and internal features are new.

The SUV has been revamped to improve off-road handling and limit distractions for the driver.

Mercedes-Benz's G-Wagon (the car was rebranded as the G-Series in 1998, but many fans still use its original name) has been one of the brand's signature vehicles since it made its debut in 1979.

The SUV has served a variety of uses — from transporting military and government employees to protecting the pope — and has become one of Mercedes-Benz's most profitable vehicles as SUVs have taken a larger share of American car sales.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the 2018 model on Monday. While its boxy exterior is largely unchanged, the G-Wagon has received interior updates designed to keep it competitive with other high-end vehicles.

The G-Class, known until 1998 – and by many fans today – as the G-Wagon, has been a Mercedes-Benz icon for decades

Mercedes-Benz

First introduced to consumers in 1979, the G-Wagon is the oldest model series Mercedes-Benz still produces.

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The G-Wagon wasn't available in the US for decades.

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The car made its American debut in 2002.

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Now, it's one of Mercedes-Benz's most profitable vehicles.

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Dieter Ziesche, Daimler board member and head of Mercedes-Benz, said the brand sold 22,000 G-Class vehicles in 2016, half of which were high-performance AMGs, at the 2018 Detroit auto show.

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For the 2018 edition, the car’s boxy exterior hasn’t changed much.

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Longtime fans of the G-Wagon won't feel betrayed by its newest model.

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You’ll find many of the car’s signature features intact.

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The G-Wagon's iconic door handle, exterior protective strip, notable indicator lights, and spare tire attached to the rear door are all present in the 2018 model.

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But there are a few subtle changes.

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The car now has LED headlamps and is slightly longer and wider than before.

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A lot of work went into improving the car’s internal features

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"With the body, our main focus was on increasing the vehicle rigidity and the connections between the suspension and drivetrain with the ladder-type frame," Dr Gunnar Güthenke, head of Mercedes-Benz's off-road product group said in a press release. The 2018 G-Wagon has a double-wishbone front axle, rigid rear axle, and ladder-type frame.

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The suspension was redesigned to improve off-road handling.

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The car's new "G-Mode" adjusts the car's damping, steering, and acceleration to maximize control when driving off-road. Three, 100-percent differential locks also help with off-road driving.

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The G-Wagon’s 4-liter engine can produce 422 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque.

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A revamped, 9-speed automatic transmission is designed to make the driving quieter and more fuel efficient.

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There are some similarities between the interior and exterior

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Mercedes-Benz created continuity between design elements on the outside and the inside of the car. For example, the side air vents in the interior look like the exterior headlamps, and the car's indicators look like its speakers.

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The car's tech features help the driver minimize distractions.

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Drivers can control some functions with touch controls on the steering wheel or a touchscreen that uses touch and audio sensors.

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The instrument panel can also be designed to keep the driver’s eyes on the road.

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Drivers will have the option to add an instrument panel that can show a virtual display in the driver's field of vision.

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The seats can be customized to prevent discomfort on long trips.

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The seats in the front and back feature an ergonomic design and can be heated. Customers can also add a package that includes massage functions.

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Music lovers will enjoy the car’s seven speakers.

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True audiophiles can shell out for a 16-speaker Burmester surround sound system.

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The car won’t be cheap.

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The G-Wagon will start at over $130,000 in Germany, and it's safe to assume it will top $100,000 in the US.